Take it as Reds at 31/10

Live on Sky Sports 1: Sat 17.30: A Liverpool win by one (31/10, Ladbrokes) and an 11/2 treble are two of our five Premier League picks this week.

At the very least Liverpool are now firmly in the driving seat in the battle for fourth spot following their 4-3 success against Swansea on Sunday but just four points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea, it’s hard to argue against the Reds still being involved in the title race, especially as two of the top three still have to visit Anfield.

Having racked up six victories and two draws in their last eight, Brendan Rodgers’s side have now been cut to 8/1 by Stan James to be crowned champions but they face a stern test of their credentials on Saturday as they visit Southampton, they only team to have defeated them at Anfield this term.

BetVictor chalk Liverpool up at 21/20 to gain revenge for that reverse while Saints are a 13/5 chance at betway to complete a league double over the Reds and it’s also 13/5, this time via Skybet, to finish all square.

The hosts’ last couple on their own patch were inconclusive so a few punters might fancy a stalemate and for them BetVictor post 7/2 against a score draw. More specifically, Stan James price a 2-2 scoreline at 12/1 and for cautious travelling supporters, William Hill offer Rodgers’s men at 1/2 in the ‘Draw No Bet’ market.

Nevertheless, the formbook points to an away success and that, in light of the home side’s resilience, could be by a one-goal margin, an outcome Ladbrokes rate at 31/10. Furthermore, as Liverpool have been a touch leaky at the back of late, lending appeal to Paddy Power’s 4/7 about both teams finding the net, bet365’s 17/2 for a 2-1 Reds triumph isn’t without appeal.

Finally, Daniel Sturridge’s brace against the Swans means that he has now helped himself to eleven goals in his last ten outings in all competitions and the Liverpool front man will be well backed at 17/4 (BetVictor) to break the deadlock on the south coast, where a Luis Suarez opener is identically priced.

Table topping Chelsea make the short journey to neighbours Fulham as Stan James’s 2/5 favourites and Skybet rate them at 6/4 to beat Felix Magath’s team ‘to nil’ at Craven Cottage. Title rivals Arsenal however, might have to settle for a point at Stoke, where it’s 3/1 (BetVictor) to finish all square.

In the battle for European places, Tottenham suffered a setback at Norwich last Sunday but at 4/11 courtesy of Stan James they’re set to bounce back at the expense of struggling Cardiff and boosted by the return of Romelu Lukaku in attack, Everton are 9/20 with betway to end West Ham’s four-match winning streak by sending them home from Goodison Park empty-handed. Spurs and the Toffees double up at even money (Paddy Power).

Elsewhere, Hull appear overpriced at 7/5 via William Hill as they entertain Newcastle, betway’s 4/1 underdogs Crystal Palace have perhaps been underestimated a touch ahead of their trip to Swansea and bet365 quote Aston Villa at even money to overcome boss Paul Lambert’s former club Norwich.